Vestavia Scouts Celebrate 100 Years by Planting Butterfly Garden

Seventy-five girls and their families spent today planting a butterfly garden at the Vestavia Hills Library and from the looks of it they had a great time getting dirty!

Thanks to Maria Burke (and her parent volunteers) for organizing such a wonderful event for our girls and the community!

Girl Scout SOS: We Need a Venue

See these Girls & Dads??! Don't they look like they're having a blast at the 2012 Sweetheart Dance?  We want them to have a fabulous time at the 2013 Sweetheart Dance as well, but we need your help!


St. Marks UMC is no longer allowing groups to use their facilities on Saturday nights.   We need:

• a hall/gym that will hold 350 +/- people
• access to tables and a kitchen with ice
• preferably free or relatively cheap.

Suggestions?  And suggestions with specific contact info for someone at the facility are most welcomed.

Thanks!  

Weekly Council Updates

Your Weekly Council Updates for this week are ready!

If you have trouble opening this link, please visit the Volunteer Publications page on the council website at and click on the September 11, 2012 issue under Weekly Council Updates.

CEO of Girl Scouts USA Delivers Keynote at "Voice for Girls 2012"

In California, The Orange County Register reports that Anna Maria Chávez, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the USA, visited the Pacific Club on Friday to speak to business and community leaders about challenges facing today's girls, and what can be done to help them achieve success. The Voice for Girls 2012 event – which was hosted by the Girl Scouts of Orange County and included breakfast, remarks by female leaders, and a panel discussion – aimed to encourage stakeholders to mentor and positively influence young women, and spread the word about the lack of female leadership in society.  (read more at the Girl Scout USA Blog)

September 6 Leader Meeting Agenda

WHAT YOU MISSED: All leaders who attended the meeting were given a special "priority" registration form for the Service Area Weekend camping event.  Last year we had more troops who registered than the camp could accommodate, so we had to turn away some girls.  Leaders who attended last night's meeting get guaranteed acceptance.  If you didn't attend, watch your email for details on how to register and don't delay. 

ALSO: 

1. Are you receiving emails from the Service Unit? If not, email Tanya at tanyaott@gmail.com to get added to our email list. 
2. We have a "Recycle Box" where you can donate or take pretty much anything (i.e. unneeded craft supplies, badge books, uniform components, etc) We bring it to each monthly leader meeting.  
3. We passed out the Leader Connections and the Pathway Opportunities (formerly known as the Program Planner). These publications are the go-to place for latest information about what's going on in the Council and fun field trips and educational experiences.  You can find them online here. While you're there, be sure to sign up to receive the Weekly Council Updates. This is the easiest way to find out if a program event has been changed/canceled.  
4. Reminder: You must re-register your girls and your troop each year.  The forms you need are here.
5. Annual Troop Financial Reports were due June 15th.  Several troops have not completed their forms. Please do so ASAP and send it to Trista Cooper at    cooper@girlscoutsnca.org.  
6. We regularly update the calendar on the blog with the latest events and activities for Shades Mountain Service Unit.  Be sure to check it regularly.  Some upcoming highlights for September: Picnic and Thai Chi at Railroad Park and planting a Butterfly Garden at the Vestavia Hills Library. 

LOOKING AHEAD: At our October Leader Meeting (10/4) we will hold an investiture ceremony for all new Girl Scout leaders and a recommitment ceremony for all returning Girl Scout leaders. Make sure you invite your co-leaders so they can be recognized as well!